Various types of primers and probes are available from several suppliers for applications in molecular biology. Used in PCR-based amplification, oligonucleotide primers guide the activity of polymerases in order to amplify gene-specific sequences. Non-specific primers, such as random hexamers and oligo-dT primers, are used in the synthesis of cDNA and DNA hybridization probes. DNA and RNA probes are labeled oligonucleotides used in hybridization experiments, such as nucleic acid blotting, in situ hybridization and FISH.
Primers specific to the gene GAPDH, or glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, are often used in PCR-based experiments as a type of control. GAPDH is an enzyme involved in glycolysis and is widely expressed among many mammalian cell types. Amplification of GAPDH reveals the abundance of one housekeeping gene relative to other genes of interest. Visit the supplier page for primer sequence information.